Metro News & Reviews

Transportation headlines, Monday, Jan. 11

The New York Times has a story that will delight auto-based gadget fiends and strike fear in the hearts of pedestrians everywhere. Car companies and technology giants are in the process of creating the ultimate Web 2.0 mash-up: internet on the dashboard. These “infotainment systems” will allow drivers to search Wikipedia, pull up Google Maps and, if internet history is any guide, watch pornography while navigating through traffic. Suffice it to say, those who are concerned about the estimated 2,600 fatalities and 570,000 accidents caused by distracted driving each year are not so excited about this particular brand of auto innovation.

GOOD tells the story of local artist Richard Ankrom and his “guerrilla public service” project that literally changed the face of L.A. freeways almost nine years ago. Frustrated with poor signage on the 110 freeway, Ankrom created and installed his own sign that made the exit to the 5 freeway a little more… obvious. The kicker? When Caltrans discovered the guerrilla act, they couldn’t deny the logic and the fake sign remained for eight years. Caltrans replaced the sign with a brand new one near the end of last year.

Oakland is proposing something dramatic: taking away street parking to add bus and bike lanes spanning the city. Part of the continuation of a successful Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system created 10 years ago the lanes will create a safe and convenient way for cyclists to get around. AC Transit is considering adding parking facilities along the route to make up for lost street parking.

The rest of today’s headlines, compiled by the Metro Library, after the jump.